Attorney General's News Release

November 19, 2007

Jackson County jury commits Kansas City man as sexually violent predator

Kansas City, Mo. — A jury in Jackson County on Thursday (Nov.15) found Theodore Overstreet to be a sexually violent predator (SVP) and committed him to the state treatment center in Farmington. Circuit Judge Kathleen A. Forsyth signed the judgment and commitment order.

The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon sought to have Overstreet (DOB - 4/24/70) committed as an SVP due to his 1999 conviction in Jackson County for sexual assault involving an 17-year old female, for which he received five years in prison. Overstreet also has a 1996 conviction for statutory rape second degree in Linn County, for which he received five years probation after serving 120 days in prison.

A petition for civil commitment was filed on September 2, 2004, and Overstreet was committed as an SVP after a jury trial.

“My office continues to aggressively pursue the indefinite commitment of those who still pose a threat to the public safety of Missourians,” Nixon said. “While these offenders are civilly committed, they can receive the treatment they need.”

Those committed by the court as sexually violent predators have the right to have their cases reviewed to determine if their mental abnormality has so changed that they are not likely to commit acts of sexual violence if released.

Currently, there are 94 sexually violent predators held in civil commitment in Missouri. Sexually violent predator commitments are handled by the Public Safety Division in Nixon’s office. Missouri’s sexually violent predator law took effect in January 1999.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818